Posting tray



I S. SEGAL Aug. 29, 1950 POSTING TRAY 4 Sheets-Shet 1 Filed Nov. 2,- 1945 INVEN E OR ATTORNEY k 29, 1950 s. S-EGAL ,5 3

POSTING TRAY Filed Nov. 2, 1945 '4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I) C 720 7/ 75. 0 m I NNNNNN OR S. SEGAL POSTING TRAY Aug. 29, 1950 mk MN 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 \\\\\\\\\\\& m

Filed Nov. 2, 1945 ATTORN EY 5. SEGAL POSTING TRAY Aug. 29, 1950 I I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 2, 1945 INVENTR ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 29, 1950 P$TING TRAY Samuel Sega New York, N. Y., assignor to Wilson-Jones 00., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Massachusetts Application November 2, 1945, Serial No. 626,316

21 Claims. (01. 129 46) The subject matter of the invention is an improved and serviceable posting tray generally utilized to sustain a stack of record sheets in an orderly and clamped relation or in an appropriate unclamped relation to facilitate finger manipulation of the several sheets of the stack without however disturbing the proper order or classifica-. tion thereof. Specifically the invention may be said to be directed to a simplified and expandible filing and posting tray for loose leaf sheets, index cards, ledger sheets, correspondence and other important documents to which reference may be quickly desired. One important object of the invention is realized in the provision of a posting tray having a functionall and structurally improved handle adapted to be conveniently manipulated for tiltably adjusting a swingable plate which may serve either as a follower or compressor member for a stack of sheet material mounted in the tray, the handle adapted to be advantageously utilized as releasing means to permit pivotal displacement of a pair of telescopically associated and hinged-members in the matter of tiltably adjusting the swingable plate, the handle also serving as locking means to preclude pivotal displacement of the telescopically associated members after having set the hinged plate in a desired tiltable or non-tiltable position. The invention further comprehends as an important object the provision of a spring controlled handle pivotally mounted on a hinged plate and adapted to actuate a pivoted and hollow guide which slidably guides a toothed and pivoted member cooperating to interlock with a part of the handle to prevent tiltable displace.- ment of the plate after having been set in a desired position and adapted to permit tiltable ad.- justment of the plate upon withdrawal of the handle from the toothed member. Other important objects, advantages and salient aspects of the invention will appear from the following detailed description considered in the light of the accompanying drawing wherein-z Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the tray shown partly broken away and partly expanded.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front view of Fig. 1, shown partly broken away.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal View of Fig. 1, shown partly in section and partly broken away to 111115: trate the internal construction.

Fig. 4. is an enlarged sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3 illustrating a portion of the handle interlocked with the companion swingable rack.

Fig. 4& is a View similar to Fig. 4 but showing the handle unlocked from the swingable rack.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional View on the line 55 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view on the line 6 -45- of Fig. 3, and

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are perspective views of the handle, the tubular guide, and the cooperative locking rack for the latter.

Illustrative of the embodiment disclosed, the tray generally denoted T comprises a sheet metal base or support Iii-having the medially arranged p nding boss ll defining a lon itudinally dies posed channel 12. To the spaced sides l3 of the hollow boss H (Figs. 1, 3 and 5) and adjacent he ends thereof, the U-shaped members [4 are appropriately fixedly secured within the channel I2. These Ueshaped or channehshaped me ne bers I l characterize bear-ingmeans for rotatably sustaining the cylindrical portions 15 (Fig 5) of the. spaced screws it which have their inner cylindrical ends ll rotatably guided and confined in the bearing block 18 having spaced upsta-nding sides is (Fig. 8) fastened to the spaced sides It of the boss II by the threaded members 20.

Parallel to and Spaced above. the alined and; rotatably guided screws iii within channel 12 is the guide rod 2| which passes through openings 22 in the u.-shaped and fixed end bearings M secured in the boss II. This rod also extends through openin s 23 in the spaced rectangular shaped blocks or runners 2.4 each having a threaded bore 25 in mesh with its respective screw It QFig. 3). By the arrangement disclosed rod 2| is slidably sustained by the runners 24. This rod althou h slidably and removably supported by the U-shaped end bearings IQ is provided with threaded end portions 25' removably sustaining threaded members 26 which are adapted to re: movably clamp against the front and rear walls 2'! and 31 of the base, these walls embodying openings 28 (Fig. 3) for removably receiving the. end threaded portions 25". By this arrangement, guide rod 2! may be removed or disconnected from the base and withdrawn from the spaced runners 24 disposed within the boss ll. Conn; versely the rod 2| may be quickly threaded through the front and rear Walls of the base and through the blocks or runners 24' and held in a fixed relation to the base by the clamping mem bers 26. V

The base which is preferably of sheet m tal may be sa d to be characte ized by paced hori zontal and flat sections 29 (Fig. 6) bent inwardly from sid s 36- and 31 of the base and have their mar ins 32 desirab y welded to the flangesiil ex tending outwardly from the sides 13 of the hollow boss ll.

Superimposed on fixedly s cured and p e flat sections 29 of the base are the fiat sheet metalpanels .39 having the roughened surfaces 40 to prevent slipping of the stack of sheets (not shown) vertically mounted between the spaced swingable follower or leaf 4| and the swingable compressor or leaf 42 each of which is disposed transversely of the base.

Slidably longitudinally of the base but disposedor rectilinearly displaced severally when its associated non-circular terminal 1| (Fig. 3) is removably engaged and rotated by a coacting socket 12 having a fixed crank arm 13. These brackets are swiveled also on the circular bosses 41 to permit rotation of the plates 4| and 42 about their vertical axis.

Fixedly secured to the upper portions of the tiltable follower 4| and compressor 42 are the the lower legs 44 of the brackets are rotatably H retained on the bosses 41, these brackets may be said to be swiveled. As illustrated, each boss 41 includes an internally threaded bore which extends downwardly into its respective runner. The threaded shanks of screws 48 adjustably cooperatewith the threaded bores .of the runners while the enlarged heads of the screws cooperate with the legs 44 to preclude theiraccidental re-' moval from the annular and hollow bosses 41. If a screw l6 be rotated its runner 24 is slidably and longitudinally displaced along the guide rod- 2|. and consequently an associated leg, as 44 of the angle shaped members or brackets 43, is correspondingly linearly displaced relative to and longitudinally of the base In.

Attached to the upstanding leg 45 of the brackets 43 and to the follower 4| and compressor 42 are the hingedly secured plates 56 and 5| having the fulcrum pins 52. By such hinged connection the. follower and compressor may be selectively tilted relative to their brackets45. For purposes of specification the pivoted follower 4| and compressor 42 may be considered as hingedplates for removablyclamping a, stack of sheet material placed in the tray, and these plates may be swung relative to the base It due to the hinged connecting means 56 and 5| carried by the brackets 43. For controlling the degree of tilt of the follower or compressor an arcuate shaped handle 53 is associated therewith. Eachi handleis utiliz'ed to actuate a tubular but rectangularly shaped member 54 telescopically receiving and slidably. guided onthe pivoted link- 55. Specifically eachhandle or manipulator 53 comprises a verticalterminalor extension 56 merging with the downwardly and outwardly. extending handgrasping curved. portion 51 which in turn merges with the inwardly turned and substantially rec.- tilinear arm 58 embodying an elongated substantially rectangular shaped opening-59 having its. sides 66 closely. but movably straddling the spaced rectilinear sides 5| of tubular member 54. The tubular member 54 has a wall 62 and its associated interconnecting spaced sides 6| provided witha relatively deep notch or gap 63in which a latching portion 65 of the arm 58 removably pro- The latchingportion 65 may be said to jects. be locking means adapted to be severally and removably received in the spaced grooves 66 in' the upper part of the swingable link or rack 55 grooves 66.

groove 66 the swingable or hinged link 55 is locked and thus resisted from further tilting. It should benoted, however, that each link 55 has its lower end rotatably mounted on a fulcrumvpin 68 carpropriately fixed to the horizontal legs 44 of the brackets or supports 43. ;As previously men ti-oned, either of the brackets 43 maybe driven 70 ried' by the spaced upstanding ears 69 of the spaced angle shaped members l6which are ,ap-

brackets 14 each having spaced wings l5 which sustain the fulcrum means 16 on which the spaced perforatedears 1! of U-shaped yokes 18 fixedly carried by the handles 53 are pivoted. The ears or wings 71 in fact are closely straddled by the spaced perforated wings 15 of the brackets 14 and the wings Tl pivotally and closely straddle the upper perforated portions 19 in the spaced sides 6| of the tubular members 54 having alined openings in which the fulcrum means |6-is disposed. By this arrangement it is apparent that the upper portions 19 of the tubular guide members 54 are also pivotally sustained on their respective fulcrum means 16.

Appropriately anchored to each of the upstanding portions 56 of the spaced handles 53 is a partly bored hollow manipulator or button 8! each retaining a helicoidal normally expanded spring 82 abutting the upper portions of the follower 4| or compressor 42. These springs tend to urge the extensions 56, consequently urging the hand grasping arcuate portions 51 of the handles inwardly, thus normally tending to position the latching portions 65 to snap into opening 63 and overhang the bore 64 of the tube 54. Where the latching portion 65 is within the tube 54 it disengageably interlocks with the Walls of a groove or notch 66, thus locking the pivoted and toothed link to the handle 53. Thus the latter is resisted from accidentally releasing or from unlocking due to the action ,of the springs 82 which,

always urge the latching means 54 in a direction towards the toothed side of its associated :link 55.

Where it is desired to tilt'the follower 4| or compressor 42, the curved portion 5'! of its han-.

dle 53 is grasped by one hand of the operator and the thumb of the same hand is utilized simultaneously to press the associated manipulator 8| 7 This action. removes the latching means 65 from a groove'66i against the energy of its spring 82'.

of the pivoted link or rack 55 and the latter'is unlocked (Fig. 4 This action negatives the tendency of the latch means 65 to be urged tolatching means 65 and the swingable rack or link 55, the guide tube 54 may be actuated by the arm 58 and thus shifted relative to the lower toothed link 55, hence permitting the latter to be progressively telescopically received in the tubular link 54, and the compressor 42 or follower 4|, as the case may be depending upon which handle is manipulated, tilts outwardly and downwardly. For tilting the'follower or compressor in an opposite direction its respective handle is' utilized to actuate the tubular member 54 to Withdraw the toothed link 55 therefrom, that is, where the bottom link or rack 55 is progressively withdrawn, its companion follower or compressor is swung or tilted in an opposite direction,

Specifically in an unlocked relation of the infa'ct upwardly. Displacement of a manipulator 8| is limited by its companion followeror compressor and when abutting the latter the latching means 65 is unlocked, that is, removed from toothed link 55 and from the keeper o1 notch means 63. When finger pressure is removed from the .manipulator 8| the latching means 65 is withdrawn from the notch means of. the tubular link 54, the spring 82 expands causing the latching means 65 to abut the toothed base of the rack or link 55 and snap into an adjacent groove 66 to automatically interlock with its Walls to prevent further tilting of the follower or compressor, thus holding the latter in a tilted but set position. For adjustably tilting either of the hinged leaves 41 and 42, the operator applies finger pressure on a companion ma nipulator BI and then applies an outward or. inward thrust on the handle 53 for tilting an associated leaf either away from or towards its opposing leaf. To this end and incertain instances, if desired, an inwardly directed thrust on the handle portions 51 only need be applied without actually operating the manipulator 8i for effecting the desired tilt. By such action the handle isalso pivoted and the locking means 54 is Withdrawn from the toothed link 55 against the en ergy of spring 82. Even in such instance it, is obvious that the handle 53 is unlocked from the toothed link and-maybe regulated to interlock severally with the notches of the too hed and pivoted link 55 for controlling the extent of tilt ing of .a respective leaf as 4|. After having adjusted the tilt, the latching'means automatically interlocks with a selected groovetb due to the expansion of spring 82.

The space or gap 83 between the leaves 45 and 42 may be made longer or smaller by selectively shifting the runners 24 as it is well llYlderstood. This space in fact constitutes a compartment for holding a stack of sheet material, such "as bookkeeping ledger sheets'record sheets, index cards, etc. During use it is necessary at times to offset a selected sheet from the stack. Thus the width of "the tray must be adjusted or 'compensated'for to allow for such offsetting. Also in actual practice itis necessary that posting trays be made fairly'compact to occupy relatively small oflice space. According to them- Vention provision has been made to ermit offsetting of the record cards or sheets without however sacrificing compactness and simplicity in construction. To this end the racks supplementary sheet supporting means generally de noted R are each adapted to be laterally projected relative to the sides 30 and 3 I of the base l8. I

Specifically each rack comprises spaced and horizontally disposed arms 98 and 9f. Extending-upwardly from each arm 90 and 9! is a vertical arm 95 desirably coiled around and fastened. to rails or rods 96. Thus each rack R embodies a rail 96 attached-to spaced vertical arms 95 which in turn merge with the horizontally disposed arms 99 and 9! adapted to be slidably shifted into or out of the base through the spaced slots 91 at the ends of the sides "38 and '31. A vertical arm 90 or 9! and its cmpanion horizontal arm 95 may be said to characterize a bent member or a bent arm.

Various changes may be made in details of construction and arrangement of parts without departing "from the spirit :of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof inherent therein. ,1

6. 1018311; Iii: "1 ,1. In combination. a base for-; sup9Qrt1ng-;fl stack of sheets, asupport disposed transversely of said base, a plate abovesaid support to sustain at least a part of said stack, mean swings: bly connecting said plate to said suppo a'handle, fulcrum means carried by said platepiyot ally supporting said handle,..a -,tubular member pivoted on said. fulcrum means and including keeper means, toothed means pivotally sustained on said support andslidably guided by-jsaid member, and latching means carried by, said handle and removably projectible into said keeper means to disengageably interlock with said toothed means to prevent tilting of sai plate relative to said support. 2, In combination, a base for su porting ;,a. stack of sheets, a support disposed transversely of said base, a plate above said support,--means swingably connecting said plate to said support, a handle, fulcrum means carried by said plate. for pivotally supporting said handle. aztubular member pivotally sustained by said fulcrum means and including keeper -means, toothed means pivotally sustained on said support and slidably guided by'said member, latchingmeans carried by said handle and removably projectible. into said keeper means to disengageably -inter-. lock with said toothed means,-; and spring means acting on said handle for normally urging said latching means to yieldingly bear against said toothed means. r

3. In combination, a; base for supporting .a stack of sheets, a bracket mounted on and disposed transversely of said base, ja plate above said bracket for supporting at least a part of said stack, means pswingably connecting said plate to said bracket, a handle, fulcrum means pivotally sustaining said handle, a tubular mem: ber rotatably mounted on said fulcrum means, keeper means on said member, toothed means, pivotally sustained on said bracket andtelescopically associated and slidably guided by said member, and latching means on said handle and removably projectible into said keeper ,meansto, disengageably interlock with said toothed means, 4. In combination, a base forsupporting :a stack of sheets, a bracket mounted on and :disposed transversely of said base, a plate above said bracket for supporting at least a part of said stack, means .swingably connecting said plate to said bracket, a handle having an arm including an opening, fulcrum means carried by said plate for pivotally supporting said handle, a tubular member pivoted on said fulcrum means and movably projecting through said opening and including keeper means, toothed means piv-. oted relative to said bracket and slidably guided by said member, and latching means on said arm adjacent said opening for removably projecting into said keeper means to disengageably. interlock with said toothed means. 1

5. In combination, a base for supporting .a stack, of sheets, a support mounted on and dis-a,

- posed transversely of said base, a plate above said support to sustain at least a part ofx-fsaid'. stackgmeans swingably connecting said plate to said-support, a handle, fulcrum means carried by said plate for pivotally supporting said handle, a tubular member having keeper means, means swingably sustaining .one end of 'saidmember, a link provided .witha toothed portion disposed withinand. slidably guidedby saidtubular mam-.1

' ber,- a pivoted connection .fortilting. said link relative to -Sa1di'suppOrfi',land latching means. sa s tained by said handle for removably projecting into said keeper 'means to .disengageablyinterlook with said toothed portion 7 w 6. In combination, a base-for supporting a stack of sheets, a'support mounted on and disposedtransversely of said base; a plate above said support to sustain atleast a part ofsaid stack, means swingablyconnecting said plate to said support, 'ahandlehaVing a latching portion, fulcrum means carried bysaid plate for pivotally supporting said handle, atubular member, means swingably sustaining said member, a link provided with -a. toothed portion disposed within andslidably' guided by said tubular member, a pivotal connection to permit tiltable displacement of said link relative to said support, and spring means acting on said handle for urging said latching portion to disengageably interlock with said-toothedportion'. r

combination, a base for supporting a stack of sheets, asupport mounted on. and disposed transversely of saidbase, a plate above said support to sustain atleast a part of said stack, means swingably-connecting said plateto said support, a handle having an opening and a latching portion adjacent said opening, fulcrum means carried by'said plate-for pivotallysupporting .said handle, a tubular member disposed within said opening, means swingably sustainingsaid member, a link provided with a toothed portion and slidably, guided by saidtubular memher, a pivotal connection to permit tiltable displacement of said link relative to said-support, and spring-means for urging said latching portion to interlock with said toothed portion. 7

8. In combination, a base-forsupporting a stack of sheets, a support mounted on and disposedtransversely -of saidbase, a plate above said support to sustain at least apart of said stack, means swingablyconnecting said plateto said supportga handle having an armincluding an opening and'including a latching portion at said opening, fulcrum means carried by said plate for pivotally supporting 'said handle, a tubular member-within said opening-and surrounded bysaid arm and having keeper means, means swingably sustaining said member; a link provided 7 with atoothed portion disposed within said opening and slidably guided by said tubulanmember, apivotal connectionrto permit tiltable displacement of. said" link relative to said support, and spring means vfor holding said latching portion in said keepermeans for automatically interlocking with said toothed portion,said latching portion adapted to be removed from said toothed portion permitting said arm to actuate said tubular member toproject or retract said. link, out'of or into said member for tilting said plate relative to said support. g

9. In combination, a basefor supporting a stack of sheets, a support mounted on and disposed transversely of said base, a plate above said sup. port to sustain at least a part .of said stack, means swingably connecting said plate to said support, a handle having an arm including an opening and having a latchingportion, means pivotally supporting said handle, .a tubular ,member,;movably guided in said opening and having keeper means, means pivotally connecting said member relative to said plate, a link slidably guided by said tubu: lar. member and having a toothed portion, aconnection pivotally connecting said link to said support, and spring means acting on'said handle to 'removably sustain said latching portion in said keeper means'for'yieldingly bearing against.

8. and to removably interlock with said toothed por tion.

10; In a posting tray, abase having a longitudinally disposed channel, a block slidably guided in said channel, bearing means extending from said block, a bracket mounted on said base and bridging said channel and having means rotatably swiveled on said bearing, a plate above said bracket, means swingably connecting said plate to said bracket, and means for linearly displacing said block relative to said channel for correspondingly displacing said plate and bracket relative to said base.

11. In a posting tray, a base having a longitudinally disposed channel, a block slidably guided in said channel, bearing means extending from said block, a' bracket mounted on said base and bridging said channel and having means rotatably guided by said bearing means, a plate above said bracket, means swingably connecting said'plate to said bracket, rotary means for linearly displacing said block relative to said channel for correspondingly displacing said plate and bracket relative to said base, telescoping and slidably associated link means pivotaliy interposed between said bracket and plate and including toothed means, a handle pivotally associated with said plate and having means for actuating said link means for tilting said plate relative to said base and having latching means interlocking with said toothed means to preclude said tilting, and spring means for urging said latching means against said toothed means.

12. In a posting tray, a base, a rotatable threaded rod disposed longitudinally of said base, a runner threadably interlocked with said rod and displaceable relative to said base on rotation of said rod, a support having a horizontal leg, a plate mounted above said support, means rotatably sustaining said horizontal leg on said runner, and means tiltably connecting said plate relative to said support.

1b. In a posting tray, a base, a runner, means for driving'said runner relative to said base, a plate, a support below said plate, hinged means interconnecting said support and plate, and means rotatably sustaining said support relative to said runner.

14. In a posting tray, a base, a runner, means for driving said runner relative to said base, a plate, a support below said plate, hinged means interconnecting said support and plate, means r0 tatably sustaining said support relative to said runner, and means interposed between and sustained by said support andplate for holding the latter in predetermined tilted positions relative to said base.

15. In a posting tray, a base, a runner, means slidably guiding said runner longitudinally of said base, means for driving said runner longitudinally of said base, a plate disposed transversely and vertically of said base, a support below said plate and disposed horizontally relative to said base,- hinged means interconnecting said support and plate, a swiveled connection between said support and said runner, and spring controlled disengageably latching means interposed between said support and plate for maintaining the latter in predetermined tilted position relative to said base.

16. In a posting tray, a base, a runner having an upstanding circular boss, a plate disposed transversely of said base, a support having bearmg means rotatably guided by saidboss, hinged.

9 means interconnecting said support and plate, and m ans to retain said support on said boss.

17. In a posting tray, a base having a longitudinal disposed channel, a runner movably disposed within said channel and having a circular boss, means interconnected with said runner for driving the latter, a plate disposed transversely of said base, a support having bearing means rotatably guided by said boss, hinged means interconnecting said support and plate, means to retain said support on said boss, and complementary releasable locking means for tiltably sustaining said plate in predetermined positions relative to said base.

18. In a posting tray, a base, a threaded rod mounted in said base member and disposed longitudinall thereof, a block threadably connected to and mounted on said rod, a support swiveled on said block, a follower leaf hinged to said support, a toothed link having its lower end pivoted to said support, a tubular member having its upper end pivoted on said leaf and slidably receiving said toothed link and having keeper means, a handle comprising latch means receivable in said keeper means and cooperating with said toothed link for holding said follower leaf in a plurality of predetermined angular positions relative to said support, manipulatable means for actuating said latch and disposed adjacent to the top of said follower leaf, and spring means confined within said manipulatable means and coacting with said leaf to removably maintain said latch means within said keeper means for severally interlocking with said toothed means.

19. In combination, a base for supporting a stack of sheets, a support mounted on and disposed horizontally and transversely of said base, a plate disposed transversely of and above said support to sustain at least a part of said stack, means swingably connecting said plate to said support, a handle having an arm including an opening and having a latching portion, means pivotally supporting said handle relative to said plate, a tubular member movably guided in said opening and having keeper means, means pivotally connecting the upper part of said member relative to said plate, a link slidably guided by said tubular member and having a toothed portion, a connection pivotally connecting said link to said support, a manipul'atable portion at the upper end of said handle and adjacent said plate, spring means in part within said portion and acting on said plate to removably sustain said latching portion in said keeper means for yieldingly bearing against and to removably interlock with said toothed portion.

20. In combination, a base for supporting a 10 stack of sheets, a support mounted on and disposed transversely of said base, a plate abov said support to sustain at least a part of said stack, means swingably connecting said plate to said support, a handle having an arm including an opening and having a latch portion, a tubular member movably guided in said opening and having keeper means, means pivotally connecting upper portions of said handle and tubular member relative to said plate, a link slidably guided by" said tubular member and having a toothed portion, a connection pivotally connecting the lower portion of said link relative to said support, and spring means acting on the upper part of said handle to removably sustain said latching portion in said keeper means for yieldingly bearing against and to removably interlock with stack of sheets, a support mounted on and disposed transversely of said base, a plate above said support to sustain at least a part of said stack, means swingably connecting said plate to said support, a handle having an arm including an opening and having a latching portion, a tubular member movably guided in said opening and having keeper means, means pivotally connecting upper portions of said handle and tubular member relative to said plate, a link in part within and slidably guided by said tubular memher and having a toothed portion, a connection pivotally connecting the lower portion of said link relative to said support, a manipulatable portion at the upper part of said handle, and spring means acting on said manipulatable portion and plate to removably sustain said latching portion in said keeper means for yieldingly bearing against and to removably interlock with said toothed portion.

SAMUEL SEGAL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,573,935 Hadley Feb. 23, 1926 1,666,700 Harrison Apr. 17, 1928 1,786,411 West Dec. 23, 1930 1,814,962 Redfield July 14, 1931 2,305,434 Le Febure Dec. 15, 1942 2,360,709 Nabholz Oct. 17, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 657,739 France Jan. 16, 1929 

